Client

Mid Devon District Council

Value

£770K

Sectors & Services

Multi-Storey Car Parks Concrete Repair Coatings Membranes Cleaning & Preparation Projects

Phoenix Lane Multi-Storey Car Park in Tiverton, Devon, is an 11-level facility providing 620 parking spaces, serving the local high street, Mid-Devon District Council offices, and offering 24/7 parking for guests of the adjoining Premier Inn hotel. As the town’s sole multi-storey car park, it represents a vital urban infrastructure asset, supporting daily commerce and visitor access while relieving on-street parking pressures in the town centre.

By 2020, the car park had reached a critical stage, with concrete deterioration, failed waterproofing, and degraded safety features such as lighting, handrails, and pedestrian walkways posing risks to both the structure and users. Mid-Devon District Council appointed Concrete Repairs Ltd (CRL) as Principal Contractor to deliver a comprehensive repair and refurbishment programme aimed at safeguarding structural integrity, improving durability, and enhancing user safety.

The project was carefully phased to maintain operational continuity for daily users, including council staff, shoppers, and hotel guests, ensuring minimal disruption.

 
 

Services undertaken

  • Concrete delamination surveys and repairs to decks, walls, soffits, and columns

  • Pressure washing and application of anti-carbonation coatings

  • Mechanical expansion joint installation to all levels

  • Surface preparation and application of partially reinforced Triflex PMMA waterproof deck coatings

  • Application of line markings and information symbols throughout all levels

  • Design and installation of internal and external car park signage

  • Staircore refurbishment including fire doors, floor coverings, decorations, and anti-slip coatings

  • Lightning protection works

  • Installation of traffic calming measures, including speed humps, bollards, and barriers

  • Brickwork parapet repairs and Helifix remedial stitching

  • Crash barrier installation

  • Pedestrian barrier installation along ramps and pedestrian routes

  • Drainage survey, clearing, and repairs

 
Tailored tools for every job

CRL adopted a survey-led, methodical approach to address both structural and operational challenges. Initial concrete delamination surveys identified defective areas across decks, walls, soffits, and columns. Defective concrete was carefully removed, reinforcement cleaned and primed, and repairs carried out using suitable cementitious mortars to reinstate structural integrity. Pressure washing prepared all surfaces for subsequent anti-carbonation coatings, applied to reduce future reinforcement corrosion.

Mechanical expansion joints were installed across all levels to accommodate structural movement, supported by bespoke reinforcement along 4,000 metres of plank edge joints. The top exposed decks received a partially reinforced Triflex PMMA waterproofing system, designed to overcome prior failures and supplied with a 10-year warranty. This heavy-duty, rapid-curing coating was applied following meticulous surface preparation, ensuring optimal adhesion and long-term performance.

Additional works enhanced safety and operational functionality: line markings and information symbols were reinstated throughout all levels, internal and external signage was designed and installed, staircores received fire doors, floor coverings, decorations, and anti-slip coatings. Lightning protection works were integrated, along with traffic calming measures including speed humps, bollards, and barriers. Brickwork parapets were repaired, Helifix remedial stitching installed, and crash and pedestrian barriers provided on ramp and pedestrian routes. Extensive drainage surveys, clearing, and repairs addressed ponding and water management issues. CRL’s expertise in structural repairs UK and complex concrete refurbishment demonstrates its capacity to deliver high-quality, technically robust asset management solutions for multi-storey car parks.

"Despite numerous previous failed attempts to waterproof the top three external car parking decks, CRL were able to provide a partially reinforced waterproofing system design which worked and could be supported by a 10 year warranty."

Martin Lewis | Senior Contracts Manager | CRL

Long-term durability and asset preservation were central to the Phoenix Lane refurbishment. Partially reinforced waterproofing on the upper decks provides a robust barrier against water ingress, protecting repaired concrete and embedded reinforcement from corrosion. Anti-carbonation coatings further reduce the risk of reinforcement deterioration across all internal and external concrete surfaces.

Mechanical expansion joints accommodate movement, limiting stress on repaired sections and extending service life. Drainage enhancements and parapet repairs prevent water accumulation and structural damage, while staircore upgrades, signage, and safety barriers improve resilience and user safety. CRL’s integrated approach combines specialist concrete repairs, waterproofing, and maintenance-focused design to deliver low-maintenance, resilient infrastructure solutions, ensuring the car park remains fully operational and protected for the long term.

Protection beyond the repair